Nigerian journalist, Kiki Mordi has reacted to claims that she has been taking all the credits for a sex-for-grades investigation which exposed sexual harassment in Africa’s university system.
TheNewsGuru recalls that back In 2019, Mordi and her BBC Africa Eye crew had released a 13-minute documentary that exposed sexual harassment of students by lecturers at the University of Lagos and the University of Ghana.
The journalist had gained fame in the global media landscape since the documentary, winning different awards.
Ruona Meyer, a fellow journalist, however, slammed Mordi on Thursday for allegedly taking credits for the 2019 investigation despite the fact that the project was not inspired by her.
She also enjoined Mordi to recognize Oge Obi, her colleague, whom she claimed pitched the story.
“Kiki, make sure this time you at least share whatever prize money there is with O.O and acknowledge her – given this was all her story as pitched, sourced/started. Real journalists have honour and also hold themselves to account, not just the government,” Meyer wrote.
“O.O a fellow female journalist did not get a fair deal, and you remain complicit and a beneficiary of that. The facts, complaints, responses and even her thread are there. Better make it right because journalism can’t insist on ethics & fairness from others, yet cheat within.”
In a rapid reaction, Mordi said Meyer’s were borne out of hatred since she unfollowed her on Twitter.
“Every new day I win an award, Ruona loses it. I will never understand what I did to this woman besides unfollowing her on Twitter,” she replied.
“There is no side to any story. Investigative journalism is dangerous work. I am the reporter on #SexForGrades Any other questions will have to be directed to the BBC Don’t be roped into Ruona’s joblessness. This isn’t local media where people do what they like.”